Symposium
Interventions and Care Delivery Models in the Context of Resource Limitations
Yongjun Chen, M.S.
psychotherapist
Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University
nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
Sichu Wu, Ph.D.
nanjing
Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University
nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
Zixin Chen, M.A.
nanjing
Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University
nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
Zehui zhang, M.A.
nanjing
Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University
nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
Ziyue Xu, M.A.
nanjing
Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University
nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
Jifan Wang, M.A.
nanjing
Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University
nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
Meilin Guo, M.A.
nanjing
Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University
nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
Shujun Hou, M.A.
nanjing
Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University
nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
Xuan Huang, M.A.
nanjing
Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University
nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
Ning Zhang, M.D., Ph.D. (he/him/his)
Psychiatrist/Psychotherapist/Clinical Psychologist
The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
Chun Wang, Ph.D.
Psychiatrist/Psychotherapist/Clinical Psychologist
The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
Background: Previous studies have identified abnormal brain function in acrophobia, with some of these abnormalities located in visual network. This network is involved in the processing of emotional visual stimuli and mental imagery, both of which are commonly abnormal in acrophobia. However, model-free characterization of the rsFC in this network is less explored in acrophobia. The present study investigates the efficacy of the VRET and the IET on symptoms and visual network in acrophobia using ICA.
Methods: Participants (N = 50) were randomly assigned to either the VRET or the IET using a block randomization method at a 1:1 ratio. The study groups were evaluated pre- and post-intervention using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans and symptoms of acrophobia. ANOVA was performed in visual network using ICA pre- and post-intervention. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted between visual network intrinsic FC and Acrophobia Questionnaire (AQ), Attitude Towards Heights Questionnaire (ATHQ), Behavior Avoidance Test (BAT) and 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) pre- and post-intervention.
Results: In acrophobia, no group × time interaction effect was identified within the visual network. However, Increase intrinsic FC was observed among the intervention groups in right lingual within visual network, which exhibited a significant negative correlation with the reduction of AQ, specifically in the VRET group. A significant main effect of time was also identified within visual network, with patients presenting increased rsFCs in occipital areas and decreased intrinsic rsFCs in frontal areas within visual network. After intervention, a negative correlation was identified between the reduction of BAT and ATHQ-anxiety scores and increased intrinsic rsFCs in the occipital regions in the VRET group. Conversely, a positive correlation was observed between the reduction of BAT and ATHQ-anxiety scores and decreased intrinsic rsFCs in the frontal regions in the IET group.
Conclusion: VRET and IET could effectively influence intrinsic rsFCs of occipital and frontal regions within visual network. After intervention, acrophobia patients showed increased intrinsic rsFCs in occipital regions and decreased intrinsic rsFCs in frontal regions within visual network, which are consistent with improvement of acrophobia symptoms. This study underscores the importance of visual network processing segregation in the development and intervention mechanisms of acrophobia.